Collator



A. DAGER Jan. 19, 1943.

4coLLAToR Filed. NOV. 25, 1940 3 Sheets-#heet 1 /Izf 0465,@

INVENTO A TT ORNE Y.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. DAGER COLLATOR Filed Nov. 25, 1940 Jan. 19, 1943.

Patented Jan. A19, 1 943A COLLATOR Albert Dager, Los Angeles, Calif.,assignor of onehalf to Elias Shaheen, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 25, 1940, Serial No. 367,068

7 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to collators.

'I'he invention has for an object the provision of a collator which isinexpensive in cost of manufacture, fool proof in operation and capableof giving the average printer, at a minimum of expense, a device whichwill rapidly collate sheets. Particularly, a collator is of use wheremanifolding sheets must be bound together in book form for use bysalesmen. The top sheet or original is usually white, the customers slipbeing of blue, and the sheet retained by the dealer perhaps yellow.

The device of the present invention is adapted to collate any number ofsheets. The average print shop so far as the inventor is aware, has beenunable to solicit manifolding business as collating machines areextremely costly, and the average shop is unable to obtain enough ofthis business to warrant the expense of 'a large machine.

The present invention is compact, occupies small space in the printshop, and embodies a minimum of parts.

The invention has for further objects the provision of a machine whichis simple of structure, eiilcient in operation, and generally superior.

With the above mentioned and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction,association, and relative arrangement of parts, members and features,all as shown in certain embodiments in the accompanying drawings,vdescribed generally, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device,

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail of. sheet sep-V Figure 7 is anelevation looking in the direcy tion of the arrow 1-1 of Figure 2,

Figure 8 is a sectional view on-the line 8-8 of Figure 2, w

Figure 9 is a modiiled form of feed bin elev'ating mechanism, l

Figure 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form oiarrangement for the bins, and,

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the modified arrangement of the binsshown in Figure l0.

Referring now with particularity to the drawings, the improved collatoras an entirety is designated by the numeral I, and the same includes twoor more bins arranged one above the other for the purpose of holdingpaper which is to be collated. In the present instance, three bins areshown at 2, 3 and 4. Stock of different colors may be` placed within thebins, as for instance, white paper at 5, blue or red at 6, and yellowat 1. Through suitable means, designatedlgenerally as 8, paper from eachstack 5, 6 and 1 is lifted so as to position the same between pairs offeed conveyors designated generally as 9, l0 and Il. The feed conveyorsdirect the paper onto guide plates l2, I3 and I4, and thence in collatedrelationship within a receiving bln I5. The means 8 operates inconjunction with a compressor I6 driven by a motor i1, the motor in turndriving the pairs of conveyors 9 to II, inclusive, and likewise a cami8, which controls operation of certain of the elements of the means 8,Aand through means designated generally as i9 is adapted to controlproper operation of an element of the means 8.

I have provided a suitable framework generally designated as 20 andwhich, in the present instance, includes four posts or legs 2i,spacedapart by two transverse top frames 22 and two spaced side topframes 23. A sub frame is provided, and includes a pair of transverseend members 24 extending between the legs and longitudinally extendingframe members secured to the transverse members, as shown at 25, 26 and21. A framing is provided at 28 and secured between the members and 26for supporting the mptor i1. The compressor I6 is mounted betweentheframing members 25 and 26. The cam i8 is mounted upon a shaft 29, theshaft in turn being secured between pedestal type journals 30 mounted onthe members 25 and 21.

Th'e shaft 3i of the motor i1 carries a pulley 32, and shaft 33 of thecompressor I6 carries 4 three different diameter pulleys 34, 35 and 36.A

continuous belt or chain 31 extends between pu1 ley 32 of the motor andpulley 36. A continuous belt or chain 38 extends between pulley 34 andpulley 39 carried on shaft 29. A continuous belt or chain 40 extendsbetween pulley 35 and pulley 4I. 'This latter pulley is adapted to drivethe conveyors 9 to ii, inclusive, as will be hereinlafter detailed. Itwill be observed from the pulley diameters that the compressor speed isslow as c'ompared to the motor speed. The pulleys are all dimensioneclso that the device will operate in proper timed relationship, ashereinafter detailed.

Secured to each side top frame member 23 are l aligned pairs of uprights42, 48, 44, 45, 46 and 41. 'I'he uprights 42 and 44 carry journalsdesignated generally as 48, whereby a series of shafts may be heldtherebetween. In Figure 2, it will be noted that there is an alignedvertical series of shafts carried by the uprights 42 and 44, the shaftsbeing indicated as 49 to 54, inclusive. Each shaft, between itsrespectiveJournals, has rollers secured thereto. The rollers carried bythe shafts 59. 52 and 54 are of ,lesser diameter than those carried byshafts 49, and 53.Y The small rollers are designated by the numeral 55and the large rollers as 56. Interrneshing spur gears are carried at oneend of each roller. The spur gears are designated for the large rollersas 61 and the small rollers as 59. The pulley 4| is mounted on the shaft49, with the result that Included between the uprights 49 and 45 are aasoaeoc spect to the upright 44. This bar is an actuated member andwherein the cam I8 is the actuator. Member 84 has secured thereto anynumber of arms, of which three are shown in the present embodiment ofthe invention at 88, 89 and 99. One end of each arm is vpivotallysecured to the member 84, while the opposite end of each of said arms 88to 99, inclusive, is split to provide jaws 9| for securing rods 92 katright angles to the lever. Each rod 92 adiustably secures and carries asuction foot 93, a detail of which is shown in Figure 4. As shown inFigure 4, the suction foot may be formed of rubber or other material,

plurality of parallelly-arranged and in ascending series, journals 59,between aligned pairs of which journals are carried shafts 69 to 65,inclusive. Mounted on the shafts 69, 62 and 64 are rollers 66 and on theshafts 6|, 63 and 66 arel rollers 61, the rollers 61 being of lesserdiameter' and 69 operate in `pairs,'with one length of' each thereof incontiguous relationship, as shown at 19. Furthermore, the shafts 6| and62 are spaced-apart a substantial distance as are likewise the shafts 63with relation to the shaft 64, with the result that the feed end of thelowermost pair of belts lies slightly below horizontal, the feed endbetween rollers 62 and 63 at a slight angle above horizontal, and thefeed end between rollers 64 and 65 at a greater angle above horizontal.

The uprights 43 and 45 carry therebetween a series of spaced-apartplatforms 1| to 13, inclusive, and corresponding platforms 14 to 16,inclusive, are transversely carried between the uprights 46 and 41. Thebins 2, 3 and 4 are supported between the platforms 1 I, 14; 12, 15; and

13, 16. The bins are identically formed and in the manner depicted inFigure 1. Each bin includes a base 11 provided with adjustable sides 18and 19, and an adjustable end 89. The sides 18 and 19 are provided withangular ends 8| and 82. Thus, sheets of a given dimension may be placedbetween the sides 18 and 19 with ends of the sheet brought againstmembers 8| and 82 and held thereagainst by adjustment of the end 89. Asshown in Figure 2, the sides may be cut away, as shown at 83. Thisconstruction permits ready access to the sheets and likewise permits oneto observe the depth of the stock within a bin.

The base 11 of each bin may be held secured between its respectiveplatforms in any manner, su'ch as by screws, bolts, welding, rotherwise.

The means 8 includes member 84,fcomprising a bar carrying at one endroller 85 for engagement with cam I8. A pair of spaced-apart links 86and 61 secure the bar to the upright or post 45. A pantographarrangement is the result. In other words, the bar 84 moves parallelwith rethe foot having a shank 94 provided with an offset, transverselybored portion 95, through the bore of which is passed'the rod 92. Theshank is bent angularly, as shown, with a hose secured thereto. There isa hose for each foot as, for incoupling |94. The coupling in turn isexternally 4 threaded at |95 to receive the internally threaded cap |96.This cap is provided with ports |91. A valve |98 is adapted to .seatagainst the upper end of the pipe |99. A coil spring 9 surrounds theshaft 99 and is interposed between the valve |98 and the inner surfaceof the end of the cap. The shank is passed through an opening in thebase of the cap and carries exteriorly of the cap a transverse arm i|2.This arm may be secured to the shank in any manner, such as between nutsH3 and |i4, the shank to this end being threaded. The spring ||9normally urges the valve to seated position.

An arm H5 is secured to the member 8 and is adapted to engage arm ||2 tolift the valve from its seated position when the member 8 is in theposition illustrated in Figure 2.

In order that the suction feet should at all times be brought intoproper engagement with a sheet of paper to be lifted and positionedbetween the feed rollers, I have provided means which controls theextent of downward movement of the member 8. Particularly it is to beobserved that I have provided adjustment screws ||6 for limitingswinging movement of arms 99 in one direction. In addition thereto, Ihave provided an outstanding arm ||1 secured to the lower end of member8. This member is adapted to be brought into contact with the upper endof post i|8 (see Figure 6). 1 contacts the 'upper end of member H8,inember 8 is arrested from further downward movement, irrespective ofengagement between the roller and the edge of cam |8. Member ||8 isadapted to be progressively lowered as paper is fed from the stock bins.

Referring to Figure 5, the means i9 includes a rod H9 carried by a guide|29 secured to framing 25. An end of this rod engages the edge of thecam |8 and the rod is actuated forwardly and backwardly as the camrevolves. The opposite end of rod ||9 is secured to lever |2i, thislever being pivotally secured to a bracket |22, the bracket in turnbeing mounted on member 24. A coil spring |23 tends to revolve the Whenthe member'v lever clockwise so as to bring an end of rod H6 into camengagement. A link |24 is secured at one end of lever |2| at |25, andthe opposite end of the link is pivotally secured to lever |26. Lever|26 is provided with a pawl |21 adapted to engage teeth of a ratchetgear |28. The ratchet gear is internally threaded at |29, and member ||8comprises a bolt provided with external threads |30 in screw-threadedengagement with threads |29. This bolt is likewise longitudinallyprovided with a ker! or groove |3I. A collar |32 carries a Woodruff key|33 received in the groove I3 l. The ratchet gear |28 is interposedbetween two U-shaped supporting brackets |34 and |35, the brackets beingcarried by framing member 21 (see Figure 2). The collar |32 is confinedso that rotation thereof is prevented, as see Figure 6. Hence, as thelever |2| and link 2d are reciprocated, the pawl will engage a tooth ofthe ratchet gear to rotate the ratchet and cause the member H3 to movedownwardly as paper is progressively fed between the feed rollers.

In Figure 9, I have shown an arrangement whereby the bins for holdingstock may be elevated as paper is fed therefrom, to the end that thesuction feet may be brought into proper contact with the upper sheets.It is to be understood that Figure 9 illustrates but one of the bins,

and other bins would be provided as shown in Figure 2.

To an upright '200 secured to the framing 23 is secured a bracket 20|.This bracket in turn has pivotally secured thereto a bell crank 202. Oneend of the bell crank carries a foot member 203 adapted to rest againstthe top sheet of a stack of'sheets 20d in feed bin 205. The other leverof the bell crank is' passed through a slot 206, in an extension of the'bin base 201. This lever of the bell crank carries a transverse rod208, the rod being supported in an upright 209. The arrangement is suchthat rocking movement of the bell crank causes reciprocal movement ofmember 208.

An elongated feed screw 2| 0 has threaded thereto sleeve 2| l. 'Ihissleeve is externally threaded at 2|2. A flanged nut 2|3 is threaded tothe threads 2|2. The flange 2|4 of said nut is provided on its rim withone or more spaced notches or grooves 2`|5. Top and bottom bearing racemembers 2|6 and 2|1 are interposed between the sleeve 2|| and a casing2|8; this casing is adapted to carry-the assembled members justdescribed and forms a part of the general casting which includes thebase 201. It is obvious. however, that the casing might be separate fromthe base.

A spacer ring 2| 3 is interposed between the race members for holdingthe same separated and a flanged retainer ring 220 may be secured to theupper end of the casing 2|6, as by means 22|, to hold the top raceassemblage. It is evident, upon referring to the drawings, that if thepin 208 is out of engagement with a notch or groove in the edge of thenut, that the entire assemblage will rotate as the screw 2| 0 rotates.However, if the pin 208 engages a notch 2|5, the nut 2|3 is held againstrotating simultaneously with rotation of the sleeve and feed screw,whereupon the sleeve will travel along the threads of the feed screw andelevate the base 201 until such time as a height isreached that themember 203 swings the bell crank suiliciently to release the pin fromnotch engagement.

The bins 2, 3 and 4 in the several figures have been arranged insubstantially spaced parallelism and alignment. However. the bins may bestaggered, as illustrated in Figuren and wherein the front of thelowermost bin 230 is in advance of the bin 23| immediately thereabove,and the bin 232 is rearward of the bin 23|. As before, any number ofbins may be provided, three being simply illustrative of onearrangement. The feed rollers over which the feed belts are passed arealso arranged in staggered relationship as shown for the small rollers233 and the large rollers 234. The arms 235, 236 and 231, which supportthe suction feet 238 also progressively decrease in length. These armsare secured to the member 84. I have also found it expedient to provideplatforms or stock tables 239, 240 and 24|, all having an adjustablerear stock bracket 242 without the side walls. In place of providing thecustomary transverse wall for a bin, I have provided two angularbrackets 233 and 24d for each bin, and these brackets are adjustablycarried ron slides 235 and 236 mounted on rod 241. The slides may beheld in a clamped position by means of wing screws 248. The platforms orstock tables are adapted to be elevated by mechanism such as shown inFigure 9, although within the purview of the invention, the arrangementshown in Figure 2 is applicable.

It is evident that a large amount of stock may be supported on the stocktables or platforms and the movement of the arms 233 to 231, inclusive;need not be as great as for the structure shown in Figure 2, with theresult that more rapid operation of the device results. The arrangementof the front stock brackets 243 and 233 is such as to readilyaccommodate any width stock upon the stock table.

The operation, uses and advantages of the invention are as follows:

If we assume that stock is placed in the bins 2, 3 and d, as illustratedin Figure 2 at 5, 6 and 1, this stock may be of dierent colors or thesame color, and of different weight, as desired. Any

number of bins may be provided. three being shown for illustrativepurposes. When the motor i6 is operating, the compressor I6 is beingdriven, as is likewise the heart-shaped cam I3. The adjustable post IIBis positioned so that the striker arm I1 will contact the same toproperly position the actuated member 8 so that the suction feet 93 willat all times be brought into proper engagement with the top sheet of thestock within the bins. This adjustment is easily accomplished byreleasing the pawl |21 and rotating the ratchet 28 to either raise orlower post ||8.

The valve shown in Figure 8 is so adjusted as to break the vacuum to thesuction feet when va. sheet of the stock is positioned between a pair ofthe feed rollers as, for instance, illustrated in Figure 2, showingsheets of stock 300, 30| and 302, fed between ,the feed rollers. In theposition shown in Figure 2, the valve is open (see Figure 8). When theportion of equal radius of the cam |8,is reached, the arm H5 lifts thevalve |00 from its seat, breaking the vacuum which releases the feetfrom stock engagement. As the cam continues to turn in the direction ofthe arrow on said cam, a portion of decreased radius is reached, whichcauses the actuated member 3 to lower. 'I'his lowering is vertical duelto the pantograph arrangement, with theA backwardly and permit thesuction feet 33 to engage the top sheet of the stock 5 to 1. inclusive.and permit the feet 93 to lift the top sheet of the stock from each bin,whereupon the actuated member 8 is again elevated and moved forwardly toposition the sheets between their respective feed rollers. The vacuum isthen broken to the feet, as before detailed. Each sheet is fed betweenpairs of conveyor belts, received upon the plates I2, I3 and I4, anddirected in collated relationship within the receiving bin l5. Each timethe actuated member 8 lowers, the pawl |21 moves the ratchet gear |28slightly to lower the post H8, thus assuring a. proper positioning ofthe feet 93 with relation to the top sheet of the stock in each bin. Thearms 88 to 90, inclusive, are likewise adjustable as to swing throughthe means H6. l

To aid in proper segregation of sheets of each bin, the exhaust from thecompressor I6 may be directed through a tube 400, this tube havingassociated therewith nozzles 40| adapted to direct streams of airagainst edges of the sheets of the stock.

In Figure 3, I have shown the lowered position for the arms, with asuction foot engaging the top sheet of the stock just prior to movementof the actuated member 8 upwardly to lift the stock to position the samebetween a pair of feed rollers, as shown in Figure 2.

In place of the means for controlling the lowering of the actuatedmember 8 as paper is progressively fed between the feed rollers, thearrangement shown in Figure 9 may be utilized. and wherein all of thefeed bins may be elevated. As the operation of the device of Figure 9has heretofore been detailed and explained, it is though that no furtherstatement of its operation is necessary.

The operation of th'at form of the device shown in Figures 10 and 11 hasheretofore been detailed.

A device of the character of this invention has been operated withsuccess and at .a high rate of speed. The device requires littleattention when operation thereof is commenced, and it has been found tosatisfactorily perform the work required of it.

I claim:

l. In a collator, a plurality of stock bins adapted to hold sheets orthe like to be collated, means for simultaneously lifting a sheet fromeach stock bin, and means for delivering said sheets to a bin in stackedrelationship, and said bin; said first means'comprising a vacuumoperated gripper foot for each bin, a compressor, and a valve controlline between the compressor and each gripper foot, and means for movingeach gripper foot simultaneously into stock engagement, the valve beingclosed, to move sheets from said stock to said second means, the valvebeing open.

2. In av collator, a frame, a post secured to said frame, a cam, a barand spaced apart links secured between said bar and said post; said barengaging said cam to raise and lower the The valve is closed tore-establish vacuum bar and cause movement of said bar by said linkagetoward said post and away from said post as the cam is rotated; .aplurality of vertically arranged and spaced apart bins adapted to holdstock of sheets to be collated, arms car-` second direction lifting anddisplacingy a sheetof stock from each bin.

3. In a collator, a plurality of stock bins spacedv ly arranged oneabove the other, pairs of conveyor belts forwardly of each bin, a cam,and a member to be actuated by the cam to raise and move the sameforwardly toward the pairs of conveyor belts and downwardly andrearward- 1y toward the bins.

4. In a collator, a plurality of stock bins spacedly arranged one abovethe other, pairs of conveyor belts forwardly of each bin, a. cam, amember to be actuated by the cam to raise and move the same forwardlytoward the pairs of conveyor belts and downwardly and rearwardly towardthe bins, and means adjustably limiting downward movement of the memberactuated by the cam.

5. In a collator, a plurality of stock bins spacedly arranged one abovethe other, pairs of conveyor belts forwardly of each bin, a cam, and amember to be actuated by the cam, spaced arms provided with gripper feetsecured to the cam actuated member; said cam actuating the cam actuatedmember to position the gripper feet over the bins and forwardly adjacentthe conveyor belts.

6. In a Vcollator, a frame, a post secured to said frame, a cam, a barand spaced apart links secured between said bar and said post; said barengaging, said cam to raise and lower the bar and cause movement of saidbar by said linkage toward said post and away from said post as the camis rotated; a plurality o! vertically arranged and spaced apart binsadapted to hold i stock of sheets to be collated, arms carried by saidbar, and gripper feet secured to said arms, movement of said bar in onedirection positioning said gripper feet upon the stock in each bin.

movement of said bar in a second direction lifting and displacing asheet of stock from each bin, and means controllable by rotation of saidcam to regulate the degree of lowering of said bar to position thegripper feet upon the top sheet of stock of each bin.

7. In a collator; a plurality of bins, adapted 4 to hold stock, arrangedone above the other in staggered relationship; stock feed conveyorsadjacent each bin, gripper members for engaging the top sheet of thestock in each bin, and common means for simultaneously actuating eachgripper member to bring the same into top sheet engagement and movingthe said sheet into engagement with said feed conveyors.

ALBERT DAGE'R.

